PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Lee Stephens (ranked 4070 p4p, 5859 weight class) and Reinaldo Val Pacheco Da Silva (ranked 502 p4p, 603 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Stephens
vs
Val Pacheco Da Silva

188 cm
26
195
5 - 8 - 0

186 cm
26
195
5 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

HELLBENT

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Lee Stephens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Reinaldo Val Pacheco Da Silva!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Andrew Berry and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A slow jab from Val Pacheco Da Silva misses its intended target.
Val Pacheco Da Silva fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Stephens is looking to slow Val Pacheco Da Silva down with leg kicks.
Val Pacheco Da Silva throws a hook but Stephens avoids it easily.
Stephens misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Stephens steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Val Pacheco Da Silva.
Stephens ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Stephens clinches with his opponent.
Stephens lands a left hand.

Val Pacheco Da Silva escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Stephens slips a jab from Val Pacheco Da Silva.
Stephens slips under a jab.
A telegraphed right hand from Val Pacheco Da Silva misses the target.
Val Pacheco Da Silva throws a lazy uppercut
letting Stephens counter with a right hand.
Stephens keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Val Pacheco Da Silva.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A bone on bone clash there as Stephens blocks the leg kick.
Val Pacheco Da Silva thuds his right hand into Stephens's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Reinaldo Val Pacheco Da Silva seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A big left from Val Pacheco Da Silva misses.
Stephens went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Stephens thows a leg kick but Val Pacheco Da Silva checks it
and Val Pacheco Da Silva counters with a one-two to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stephens slips a straight right by Val Pacheco Da Silva.
Val Pacheco Da Silva throws a solid leg kick but Stephens takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Val Pacheco Da Silva.
Stephens tries to counter by clinching up but Val Pacheco Da Silva breaks away and moves out of range.
Left hook, right uppercut from Stephens.

Stephens closes the distance and clinches.
Val Pacheco Da Silva lands a shoulder strike.
Stephens throws an elbow that misses.
Val Pacheco Da Silva throws a head punch that misses.
Val Pacheco Da Silva working aggressively here.
A head punch on the inside from Val Pacheco Da Silva fails to land.
Val Pacheco Da Silva throws a punch but it's blocked by Stephens.
Stephens definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

Stephens pulls guard successfully.
Val Pacheco Da Silva showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Val Pacheco Da Silva trying to control the position from guard on top but Stephens is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Val Pacheco Da Silva slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Val Pacheco Da Silva wants to pass the guard but Stephens is keeping the position.
Val Pacheco Da Silva won't allow Stephens to get back to his feet.
Stephens keeping moving, preventing Val Pacheco Da Silva from controlling successfully.
Val Pacheco Da Silva engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Val Pacheco Da Silva stops Stephens from standing up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Donk. Val Pacheco Da Silva catches Stephens right on the button with a cross.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Val Pacheco Da Silva connects with a good right hand that stumbles Stephens. Stephens circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Val Pacheco Da Silva checks a leg kick.
It seemed like Val Pacheco Da Silva was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Val Pacheco Da Silva connects with the punch.
Stephens looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Stephens ducks under a wild hook from Val Pacheco Da Silva.
Val Pacheco Da Silva misses with a hook

and Stephens holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Stephens misses with the head strike.
The referee is keeping an eye on Stephens - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
A short right from Val Pacheco Da Silva on the inside.

Val Pacheco Da Silva pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Stephens ducks under a wild hook from Val Pacheco Da Silva.
Stephens looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Reinaldo Val Pacheco Da Silva is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A slow jab from Val Pacheco Da Silva misses its intended target.
Val Pacheco Da Silva fails to land with a series of punches.
Stephens throws a leg kick but Val Pacheco Da Silva sees it coming and moves out of range.
No joy there for Val Pacheco Da Silva, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Stephens slips under a jab from Val Pacheco Da Silva.
Stephens throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A telegraphed right hand from Val Pacheco Da Silva misses the target.
Val Pacheco Da Silva looks to land a left hand but Stephens moved out of range nicely.
Val Pacheco Da Silva lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Val Pacheco Da Silva takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Val Pacheco Da Silva swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Val Pacheco Da Silva throws a looping overhand right but Stephens ducks down to avoid it.
Stephens attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Stephens scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Stephens lands with a nice combination. Val Pacheco Da Silva backs away looking to recover.
A big left from Val Pacheco Da Silva misses.

Stephens rushes Val Pacheco Da Silva and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Val Pacheco Da Silva misses with the head strike.
A head punch on the inside from Stephens fails to land.
Val Pacheco Da Silva lands a left hand.
Stephens blocks an uppercut.
Val Pacheco Da Silva stalling against the cage.

Stephens escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Reinaldo Val Pacheco Da Silva will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Val Pacheco Da Silva looks to land a left hand but Stephens moved out of range nicely.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Val Pacheco Da Silva throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Stephens sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Val Pacheco Da Silva throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Stephens is looking to clinch.
Val Pacheco Da Silva gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Stephens slips a straight right by Val Pacheco Da Silva.
Val Pacheco Da Silva throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Val Pacheco Da Silva throws out a loose jab but Stephens uses good head movement to avoid it.
Val Pacheco Da Silva keeps the fight on the outside.
Stephens goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Stephens avoids a kick to the body.
Good exchange - Val Pacheco Da Silva coming out on top.
Val Pacheco Da Silva showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Stephens.
Val Pacheco Da Silva walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Stephens checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Reinaldo Val Pacheco Da Silva seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A shot to the liver by Val Pacheco Da Silva. Beautiful body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stephens staying out of range there.
Val Pacheco Da Silva throws a hook but Stephens blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Val Pacheco Da Silva misses with a straight right.
Val Pacheco Da Silva thows a leg kick but Stephens checks it
and Stephens counters with a stiff right hand.
Stephens takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Val Pacheco Da Silva throws a jab when Stephens was well out of range.
Stephens is looking to counter the offense by Val Pacheco Da Silva and move into the clinch.
Stephens on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Stephens misses with the combination.
Val Pacheco Da Silva throws a hook to the side of Stephens's head but Stephens sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Val Pacheco Da Silva gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Stephens.
A thudding body kick lands there by Val Pacheco Da Silva!

Val Pacheco Da Silva gets tackled into the cage by Stephens. Stephens maintains the clinch.
Stephens tries to stall but Val Pacheco Da Silva uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Val Pacheco Da Silva lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Stephens backwards.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Val Pacheco Da Silva.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stephens misses with some punches.
Stephens lands an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stephens is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Val Pacheco Da Silva to keep the fight standing.
Val Pacheco Da Silva lands a hook that snaps the head of Stephens backwards.
Stephens swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Val Pacheco Da Silva fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Val Pacheco Da Silva swings wildly with an uppercut but Stephens uses good head movement to avoid it.
Val Pacheco Da Silva has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Stephens scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A right hook to the body lands for Stephens.
Val Pacheco Da Silva lands with a right to the head.
A nice left hand lands by Stephens.
Val Pacheco Da Silva working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Val Pacheco Da Silva lands a right hand.
Val Pacheco Da Silva is pressed up against the cage. Stephens has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Val Pacheco Da Silva down to the mat. Val Pacheco Da Silva avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Val Pacheco Da Silva missing with a left hand there. Stephens was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nice defenses there by Stephens.
A little feinted left hand from Stephens on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Val Pacheco Da Silva misses the jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Val Pacheco Da Silva scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Stephens defending well as Val Pacheco Da Silva loads up on a big left hand.
Val Pacheco Da Silva dips to his left and cracks Stephens with an uppercut!
Val Pacheco Da Silva throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Val Pacheco Da Silva thows a left - swing and a miss!
No joy there for Val Pacheco Da Silva, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Val Pacheco Da Silva waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Stephens.
The fighters circling - Val Pacheco Da Silva throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Stephens keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Stephens slips a jab and a cross from Val Pacheco Da Silva.
A punch combination from Val Pacheco Da Silva misses.
Val Pacheco Da Silva slips a jab and a cross from Stephens.
Val Pacheco Da Silva appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Val Pacheco Da Silva ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Good exchange - Stephens coming out on top.
Stephens throws a low kick but it's checked well by Val Pacheco Da Silva.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stephens displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Val Pacheco Da Silva throws out the jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stephens looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
The fight stays on the outside here - Stephens looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A slow jab from Val Pacheco Da Silva misses its intended target.
Val Pacheco Da Silva tries to work over Stephens's front leg with a kick but Stephens checks it.
Stephens fails in his attempt to clinch.
Val Pacheco Da Silva with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Val Pacheco Da Silva thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nice uppercut lands for Val Pacheco Da Silva. That snapped Stephens's head back.
Val Pacheco Da Silva cracks Stephens with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Val Pacheco Da Silva missing with a left hand there. Stephens was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Val Pacheco Da Silva scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Stephens doesn't seem bothered though.
Val Pacheco Da Silva jabbing away but nothing is landing.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stephens takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

Stephens has managed to clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Stephens just misses with a elbow thrown towards Val Pacheco Da Silva's brow.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Reinaldo Val Pacheco Da Silva showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Stephens swinging wildly here.
Val Pacheco Da Silva has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Val Pacheco Da Silva misses with a wild combination.
Stephens takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Val Pacheco Da Silva throws a jab but it's blocked by Stephens.
Val Pacheco Da Silva misses with a low kick.
Stephens tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Val Pacheco Da Silva tries to bum rush Stephens with a series of wild strikes but Stephens uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Val Pacheco Da Silva scores with a jab to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big left from Val Pacheco Da Silva misses.
Val Pacheco Da Silva jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Stephens looks to land a combination but Val Pacheco Da Silva avoids it well.
Stephens ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Val Pacheco Da Silva misses with a looping left.
As Val Pacheco Da Silva tries to get set, Stephens tries to push him back and clinch up but Val Pacheco Da Silva manages to avoid the attempt.
Stephens connects with a right hand. Val Pacheco Da Silva shakes it off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Val Pacheco Da Silva shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Stephens eats them both and turns towards Val Pacheco Da Silva to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Stephens scores with a punch to the head.
Stephens throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Val Pacheco Da Silva.
Stephens keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Val Pacheco Da Silva.

Stephens clinches up against the cage.

Stephens jumps guard and drags Val Pacheco Da Silva to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Val Pacheco Da Silva trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Stephens manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Stephens landing with the ground and pound.

Val Pacheco Da Silva has his foot on Stephens's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Stephens works his way back into a safe position though.
Stephens stays in close to Val Pacheco Da Silva's body and controls the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stephens landing with the ground and pound.
Reinaldo Val Pacheco Da Silva is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Val Pacheco Da Silva holds on and takes a little breather.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stephens sitting in guard here, content to control.

Val Pacheco Da Silva looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Stephens slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Stephens preventing the sweep.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Stephens accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Val Pacheco Da Silva wants to sweep but no luck.
Stephens trying to control but Val Pacheco Da Silva is working from the bottom.
Val Pacheco Da Silva utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Val Pacheco Da Silva avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Val Pacheco Da Silva looking to control.
Val Pacheco Da Silva preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Stephens throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Val Pacheco Da Silva works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Stephens throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Val Pacheco Da Silva works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Stephens has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Val Pacheco Da Silva controls Stephens momentarily but Stephens frees himself.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Val Pacheco Da Silva connects with a single shot there.
Val Pacheco Da Silva throws a hook but Stephens blocks it.
Val Pacheco Da Silva buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Stephens throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Val Pacheco Da Silva connects with an inside leg kick.
Val Pacheco Da Silva's jab looks to have found its range, popping Stephens under the eye.
Val Pacheco Da Silva slips a jab and a cross from Stephens.
Val Pacheco Da Silva looks to land a right hand but Stephens moved out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stephens wants to clinch up but Val Pacheco Da Silva keeps it at a distance.
A clash of legs there as Stephens blocks the low kick.
Stephens with a lazy takedown attempt
and Val Pacheco Da Silva cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Stephens defending well as Val Pacheco Da Silva loads up on a big left hand.
A big left from Val Pacheco Da Silva misses.
Stephens changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Stephens takes one on the button.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Val Pacheco Da Silva throws a hook to the side of Stephens's head but Stephens sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Stephens pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Val Pacheco Da Silva back to the cage. Stephens follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Val Pacheco Da Silva misses the shot to the body.
Stephens pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Val Pacheco Da Silva throws a lazy right hand but Stephens sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Val Pacheco Da Silva works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Val Pacheco Da Silva throws a nice looking combination but Stephens bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Val Pacheco Da Silva connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Lee Stephens has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Stephens takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Reinaldo Val Pacheco Da Silva comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Val Pacheco Da Silva winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge James Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Reinaldo Val Pacheco Da Silva!
An out of breath Reinaldo Val Pacheco Da Silva thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.